I just don't know what to say.....

Expats back to be robbed blind

Cape Town - A couple who emigrated to New Zealand 10 years ago were robbed within 18 hours of arriving back for their first holiday here since leaving.
Ruti and Naomi van der Merwe were asleep when thieves made off with their travel documents, a new laptop, expensive camera and more than R1 000 in cash.

The thieves also left a chilling memento - a carving knife near their bed.

Naomi, a diabetes specialist, came back to attend an international congress on diabetes in Cape Town.

Her husband Ruti, who used to work for Volksblad, did not want to come to South Africa, but felt his wife needed a "bodyguard".

"I read News24.com every day and I know what's happening here," he said on Wednesday. (Exactly what I do - Dave)
Since their arrival on Friday afternoon they have been staying with friends, Tom and Marietjie Ferreira of Van Riebeeck Court, near Durbanville.

That evening, Ruti put on a slide show for the Ferreiras about life in New Zealand that he had prepared specially for the holiday.
The next morning, about 07:00 Ruti noticed that his watch was gone from next to his bed.
Closer inspection revealed that Naomi's handbag, his sling-bag with their passports and plane tickets, about R1 400 in cash, his camera and a new laptop bought specially for the congress, also were gone.
The thieves also had stolen a laptop and a hi-fi set from the Ferreiras.
Ruti said: "I have nothing, and I've had to borrow money from my friends to get by."
The burglars forced open a window with a screwdriver to gain entry to the house, which has high walls and an electric gate.
Naomi was badly traumatised and wanted to fly home immediately, which was not possible because the thieves had their New Zealand passports.

It will cost about R5 000 to replace their documents via an embassy in London.

Ruti said: "Tom's bedroom door was locked. We come from New Zealand, we don't know about locking doors, especially the bedroom doors."
The Van der Merwes decided to emigrate after their daughter, who was 14 at the time, was deliberately knocked off her scooter by a motorist.

Also, a member of their family was raped and badly assaulted a few years ago.
Won't ever come back

Ruti said they intended finishing their holiday in South Africa, but did not intend setting foot here again.

"They can't steal anything from me now, because we have nothing left.